Infrared Licensing

While attempting to publish an article for ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors), and talking with their Chicago office editor, I learned that there is a company that feels they have the right to tell all home inspectors the proper way to inspect a home with infrared cameras. Not only do they have the right, but they have a patent on it. In other words, they are trying to tell me how to use my own infrared equipment, which I have been properly trained to use by the camera manufacturers. They claimed to have a patent on the procedures to inspect a home with infrared, which of course included their own specific infrared camera and software.
Needless to say, I was amazed! I have spent the last three years inspecting with infrared. This person in Alabama is not a member of ASHI, the governing body for home inspectors nationwide, nor is he a licensed home inspector. He came up with a technique to perform an IR inspection, and is trying to force me, and all other home inspectors nationwide, to buy their license, use their equipment, and get their permission by virtue of paying their fees.
I must state for the record that nobody, short of the authorized licensing entity for this state (Nevada Real Estate Division) has the right to tell me how to do my job. That includes the company in Alabama, who thinks they can have all inspectors pay homage to them, or we cannot use our tools of the trade. Its like selling me a car then telling me where I can drive it.

People never cease to amaze me.

Self-inspecting your home

I have a lot of realtors and home buyers telling me that they decided to inspect their own homes, or worse, have their Uncle Bob inspect it for them. Having experience in one or two construction fields does not qualify you to perform a professional-level home inspection. And let's face it, if you're going to have a home inspection done, do you really want a non-professional inspection?

A professional home inspection is a GENERAL inspection, which means we look at everything as a "generalist." The difference between a generalist inspection and a technical inspection is the difference between telling you there is a problem, and telling you exactly what the problem is, then making the necessary repairs. In most states, home inspectors are not permitted to perform technical inspections, only general inspections.

As a licensed, professional home inspector, I walk through a home room by room and test everything, wall to wall, ceiling to floor. Outlets, switches, doors, drawers, windows and smoke detectors, all are specifically tested for function and defects. All mecahnicals are tested, such as plumbing and HVAC. Electrical panels and fixtures are all tested, and all installed appliances are functionally tested one by one.

Structure is a main inspection point, and, in fact, home inspectors are licensed structural inspectors. We see the structure in attics, basements, and openings in the walls. Settlement is common and expected, however knowing the difference between a "common" settlement crack and a significant one is what makes us special. We understand how to read cracks, informing you whether they should be repaired as cosmetic, you should have an evaluation by a structural engineer. We understand cracks!

The exterior is also inspected, including site and drainage. The cladding on the home is an important part of the integrity of the waterproofing and weathersealing. Do you think Uncle Bob is trained to provide professional insights on every aspect of a home? Well, if he's a licensed homne inspector, he would be.

Rain...Rain...Go Away...but just not yet!

We are so spoiled here in the land of endless sunshine, that we forget about the rest of the US and the rainfall they experience. We get so little rain here annually that a roof could have a leak, and we would not know it for months, or even years. Concrete tile roofs are not waterproof. They are heat resistant, designed to provide an air barrier against the hot summer sun here in the Mojave Desert. Rain can, and does enter the attic spaces, usually in small amounts, but on occasion, as with a damaged roof, in larger amounts. In fact, roof leaks dry up most of the time in the arid desert air inside the attic before we ever see the evidence of them inside the home, such as a moisture stain on a ceiling.

Having a few days of constant rain provides repair work for roofers, as people finally realize that there is an opening, or leak in their roof envelope, which should be repaired. As a structural inspector (homes), we can see roof leaks much easier with the constant rain. We also take our infrared cameras into the attic spaces to scan for moisture intrusion. Scanning the home's ceilings, walls, and floors allows us to visualize leaks before they can be seen with the naked eye. 

So next time you worry about a few days of rain, realize that the rain clouds have a silver lining as a roof leak will appear if there are hidden openings in the roof materials, and once the rain stops, as it always does here in the desert, you will be able to have it professionally repaired.

Was it Elvis that sang "Rain, Rain, Go Away, Come Again Some Other Day...?"

Mold in your home

Mold is the new four letter word for the next decade. It is the number one concern of home owners and home buyers. It can not only cost you thousands of dollars to remediate, left undetected, it can represent a serious risk to your health. Mold likes to live in warm, moist, dark environments, just like the inside of your lungs. It will grow in your lungs just like it grows on your walls, except FASTER!

Mold spores can develop where conditions are right, including mold seen on a surface. Even dead mold can unleash mold spores into the air. Visualize a dandelion blowing seedlings in the wind. That is one method of spreading mold, through the air. Another is through absorption contact with your skin. If you breath in mold spores, you probably won't know it until it's too late. Once in your lungs, some molds are so dangerous to humans that the only way to get it out of your lungs is to surgically excise it, removing lung tissue in the process.

If you think you have mold in your home, you need to have it checked immediately by a mold inspector. They will take air and surface samples of the mold, including mold found naturally outside the home. They compare types at a lab, identifying molds which should not be present in a home. The types and concentrations of the mold spores identified at the lab determines how the mold should be remediated (removed). There are thousands of types of mold that can be present, however, there are about 200 types that are typically found inside a home. All of these 200 mold types can be dangerous to your health. The very young and elderly are especially vulnerable, and in the right conditions, can be life threatening.

Don't play with this one, and don't try to correct a mold problem yourself. Remember, mold doesn't just "appear." It has a source, which always includes a moisture source, whether an active plumbing leak, exterior "environmental" sources (leaky roof during rainy season), or elevated relative humidity above 60%. If the source of the moisture is not corrected, the mold will return. If it is not professionally or correctly remediated, it can return. Most mold invasions seen in the desert come from active plumbing leaks. Gray water drain leaks can produce the dreaded "Black Mold," due to the higher bacteria levels found in this type of drain water. Especially dangerous is toilet drain leaks. The number one source for mold statistically is the water connection behind the refrigerator. You may want to take a peek to assure your water connection behind the refrigerator is not leaking.

Whatever you do, don't try to correct a mold invasion yourself. Bleach does not KILL mold, it only changes it's color so it is more difficult to see. In addition, mold is actually eating-digesting the surfaces it is growing on, such as drywall, carpet, wood and wallpaper. If you try the bleach cleaning technique, it only reaches the surface. Mold under the surface will continue to proliferate.

Leave it to the professionals, as there is nothing more important than the health of you and your family.

Infrared and home inspections

Infrared tehnology has come a long way since it's development almost 50 years ago. Initially developed for use in the Military, it now covers a wide range of fields, including; Police/Law Enforcement, Security/Investigations, Scientific, Medical, Technical/Trades, Ghost Hunting, Energy Audits, and now, Infrared Camera Home Inspections.


As the technology improved, the costs dropped, and now low cost InfraRed Cameras are within reach of most home inspectors. Although home inspections are VISUAL ONLY, knowing what's inside a wall, such as active plumbing leaks, gives peace of mind to the home buyers.